Namine watched her sister walk out of the room and decided to call Leon, she took a deep breath a dialed his number. Before the second ring she heard the phone stop ringing.
“Namine?” She heard his voice ask, she smiled even though she knew he couldn’t see it.
“Yes it’s me.”
“Where the hell have you been, I have been searching for you for days! Where are you, I need to see you now, are you okay?” He angrily said together in one sentence, she winced at the anger she heard in his voice and sighed.
“I am fine, can I meet you somewhere?”
“Yeah where are you at, can you meet me at my house?” He asked Namine looked out the window; she had no idea where she was.
“Umm I don’t know where I am-“
“What do you mean you don’t know where you are?” He asked clearly irritated, she could picture him rubbing his temple slowly, trying to stay calm. Namine looked around and walked out the front door and toward the nearest street sign.
“I am on Devil’s Lane, does that sound familiar?”
“Why are you down there, there is nothing good down there? Stay at the nearby park which should be about a block and half away stay there and I will get come and get you. ” He said hanging up the phone. She looked around for a sign that stated there was a park; she saw a small brown sign that stated Inferno Park to the right. That’s an odd name she thought to herself as she followed the various signs down the block. She hummed to herself and saw a park come into view. She smiled and saw the playground it was beautiful. It was surrounded by trees like a forest and had a merry go round that looked like it was fire breathing dragon around the outside of it. There were bars that spun around that were shaped like Ursula’s tentacles. Zira would love this park, Namine thought to herself. She continued down the hill and across the bright green grass to a set of swings that were camouflaged like black wings, she sat on the swings and swung back in forth gently, to make sure she didn’t swing too high. Suddenly there were loud footsteps behind her and before she could get up she felt warm strong arms wrap around her chest tightly. She gasped and looked up to see Leon’s face in the nape of her neck. She smiled and quickly caught his lips with hers, she was never one to initiate the kiss first but she felt like she hadn’t seen him in a life time. Leon pulled away and sat on a swing next to her and looked at her in shock.
“What’s wrong, Namine?”
“Nothing’s wrong, everything is wonderful now that you’re here.” She said smiling brightly at him as she began pumping her legs back and forth getting the swing to rise higher and higher. She leaned back and looked at the pure blue sky peaking at her in-between the trees.
“Why do you feel you have to lie to me, I know you better than that. So what is really bothering you my love?” He said watching her swing happily back and forth. Namine sat up and placed her legs down, her feet dragging across the sand, slowing her down and finally to a halt.
“If I tell you, do you promise not to say this to anyone again?” She asked sternly her tone unwavering and strong as she looked at her boyfriend’s beautiful eyes. He dropped his smile and nodded in agreement as he waited anxiously for her speak.
“Leon, have you ever felt like you aren’t meant to be here, like in this lifetime. I know I sound crazy but Zira just told me something, but it felt like a part of me didn’t believe her, like I hated her.” I don’t know why, because what she told me. . . I know she did it to protect me but it just wasn’t right!” Namine shouted out in one breath. She quickly looked away from Leon ashamed that she just blurted that out, but she had to tell someone. Leon got up and walked in front of her, he gently pushed her chin up so she was looking up at him, he gave her smile and pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear with his free hand and let out a sigh.
“It doesn’t sound crazy at all my love, because ever since I met you, I felt like I’ve known you for a lifetime I still don’t understand why. But whatever Zira did her guilt will consume her and then she will have no one to blame but herself.” He said smirking; Namine pulled her head away and stood up.
“Why do you dislike my sister, when you have no idea what she did to protect me?”
“I just don’t, I can’t stand her, she’s rude and condescending and she just hates me. And quite frankly I don’t like her either, some part of me just hates her.” He barked at Namine making her jump and look at him angrily.
“She doesn’t hate you, she just doesn’t trust you. And the fact that you would say something like that about her- I just can’t believe you would say that. You know what she went through, you were there.” She said her voice trailing off as she looked at the ground, she heard Leon sigh in annoyance and his warm fingers slide in-between her hand. She looked up and smiled softly, she could never be mad at him. Ever.
“I know what she went through and no one asked her to stay with him, she chose too on her own free will Namine. So you need to stop coddling to her about her past. Her choices were made and nothing can change that, and you need to accept that babe.” He said looking at her with bright eyes. She nodded in agreement and looked ahead to see his car was waiting in the small parking lot that was made for the park.
“Let’s go home” She said as he began walking to his car with her; hand in hand.
***
Zira paced around outside in the courtyard, her steps light and barely audible she paced back and forth around the statue that she saw through the window. The wind blew the scent of the rose canopy to her nostrils, she breathed deeply and stopped to look at the statue she was walking in front of. Why did it seem familiar? She thought to herself as she reached her hand towards its face, she touched the marble surface and lightly caressed the snout of the animal, and traced its features to its back. Its skull was very square and seemed to seamlessly flow down into its elongated neck where there were two incisions. One was just a mere nub while the other incision was microscopic and held the most magnificent wing she had ever seen. She slid her fingers to its wing and felt the edges. She grasped and prodded as if she were a blind woman trying to remember its features. She suddenly felt a blast of cold air hit her skin sending a shiver down her spine and goosebumps to rise up along her skin.
“Do you remember me?” She heard a faint and soft voice whisper through the wind. She drew her hand back quickly and looked around, to her confusion there was no one there. She touched the statue again and heard the voice again, she took a deep breath and shut her eyes. She was hearing things, there was no one there. I’m not crazy, I’m just hearing things, I’m not crazy. She thought to herself repeatedly.
“Please remember me Vera, I need you to remember so we can continue our legacy.”
“How can I help you, when I can’t even help myself?” She shouted opening her eyes stepping away from the sculpture, her head was beginning to pound as she stared at the statue angrily.
“Figure it out Vera-“
“My name ISN’T VERA!” She screamed covering her ears. Was she truly going crazy?
“I know your name isn’t Vera, but do you have to scream that fact at me?” She heard a familiar deep voice say from behind her, she released the hold on her ears and looked behind her to see Dante had changed into something more comfortable. He had a tight, white work out shirt that hugged every muscle he had and some black sweats with a white stripe running along the length of his leg to his hip; the sweats hung a little lower than they should have revealing some of his prominent pelvic bone. She turned her eyes away from his body to his light green eyes, she smiled and got lost in his eyes before she realized that he overheard her.
“I’m sorry, I was um- how much did you hear?” She asked shyly looking away from his eyes and to the side of the courtyard.
“Just the part that you screamed, who is Vera?” He asked handing her a glass cup filled with water, she accepted it willingly and drank it slowly. She stopped after a few sips and pulled the cup away from her lips.
“I don’t know who she is, but I intend to find out, one way or another.” She said ominously, an evil glimmer flicking across her green eyes. Dante smiled and walked towards her, he gently touched her cheek. Zira felt a wave of butterflies turn in her stomach as she looked up at him. Why was she so comfortable around him, where did she know him from? His eyes suddenly flashed to a confused one, he glided his thumb under her eye wiping a water droplet that slipped out. Tears?
“Why are you crying my love?” He asked, looking over her facial features, she blinked a few times and wrapped her arms around his waist tightly. It was like her body was no longer her own, she couldn’t control herself, what was happening. She felt Dante’s warm strong arms envelope her in a tight hug as he pressed his lips on top of her head.
“I missed you” He whispered softly, she pulled away quickly.
“What’s going on, who are you??? What is happening to me?” She asked hurriedly stepping back from him, he looked as confused as she did.
“I am sorry. . . I have no idea what that was. It was like I was-“
“Possessed” They both said, she looked at him carefully trying to see if any details looked familiar. . . something was familiar she has seen him before in her dreams. She always chalked it up to the dream guy she always wanted. Maybe her dreams were visions of her prior self. Maybe Namine was right. She thought to herself as she caught herself staring at him, she turned on her heel and began walking away when the smell of sulfur rushed by her. She looked up and scanned the area, there were trees that lined the cobblestone pathway to the garden, the trees bright green leaves rustled against the breeze making a perfect tunnel of nature. She continued surveying the yard; the dragon fountain was still standing on her right. Where was this smell coming from?
Behind you
Someone whispered, she quickly turned around to see the dark red eyes again, the same ones she saw before Dante saved her. She was paralyzed, but not in fear, she felt the need to embrace it.
“Vera” the silhouette hissed, she simply stared unwavering, no movement. She felt like her feet were cemented to the ground.
“What are you?” She asked looking at its red eyes, it suddenly grabbed her arm tightly, an inhuman heat wrapped around her arm. No, it was not heat; fire. She screamed out in pain finally able to move and ripped her arm back her flesh searing as if it was a pan that came off of a hot stove.
“Now. . .now don’t run away from daddy.” It said in a deep and hissing voice, no, it couldn’t be.
“Josephino.” She stated, turning and running down the cobblestone pathway that led to the garden.
“Zira! Wait!” She heard Dante shout at her, she couldn’t stop, she had to get away. She wouldn’t let him defile her again. NEVER AGAIN. She thought to herself running quickly when she felt a sharp pain pound into her back; she gasped and collapsed to the ground.
“You won’t get away you stupid bitch.” She breathed heavily and tried to get up, searing pain shot all through her body as she felt an unbearable weight press into her.
“NO” She shouted turning around kicking her leg into his chest, black smoke began to wrap around her leg as he laughed manically. She looked around her and saw a loose stone, she smirked and swung when:
“Zira, calm down, it’s just me!”
“Dante?” She asked the stone less than an inch from his temple; she took shallow breaths and looked around nervously.
“Where is he?” She asked still looking around for Josephino still clutching the stone in her hands. Dante pulled her up to her feet and placed his left hand over hers, he used his free hand to turn her head to look at him.
“Listen to me Zira, there was no one here; you suddenly just took off and started screaming and fell. I tried to catch you but you were too far away. What happened sweetheart?” He asked keeping his hand under her chin; she let out a shaky breath and looked up into his eyes.
“My step father: Josephino, but I killed him. . . I know I did.” She whispered looking away from his eyes and down at the floor. Dante was taken aback by her confession but still felt the need to comfort her any way possible. He sighed and pulled her into his chest rubbing her back gently.
“I need to show you something” Dante stated pulling her back a few inches, she blinked a few times and nodded in agreement. He held his hand out asking for her to grab it, she smiled softly and grabbed his hand when a rush of heat ran up her arm, Dante yanked his hand back and looked at her.
“Did you feel that?” He asked, she nodded and reached for his hand again, this time nothing happened. He let a breath of relief and led her across the yard her high heels clicking lightly against the pathway. She watched him lead her down the path to a small building it was like a mini house a casita. He stopped at the front door and looked around, he let go of Zira’s hand and smashed his elbow through the glass pane that was on the door. He smirked and twisted his arm through the space and unlocked the door. Zira knew what this was she used to do it all the time when her sister needed shelter.
“Who’s house are we at Dante?”
“Shhh, renegade will hear you, if she finds out that this isn’t my house. She will do soME voodoo witch craft bullshit on me.”
“Then where are the owners?” She asked between her hushed giggles, he smiled when the door unlocked and walked in.
“I heard they were on some vacation in Cancun, they won’t mind if we stay here and watch the house.” He said looking around at all of the books that covered the room like wallpaper. Zira’s eyes scanned the area quickly taking in everything when something caught her eye. Dante walked over to the spot she was looking and grabbed the book. Its worn leather binding was all but a folder for the parchments that were in it.
“I wanted to show you this because when I was in the house, Renegade said she saw a book about the history of the Medon Pavmire family, I remember my brother dragged me to a fortune teller and she said I would fall in love with a Medon Pavmire. But I don’t really believe in that shit, however Renegade mentioned that in this book it will give me insight on what she will look like and how she acts. I thought maybe you could review it with me.” He said opening the book carefully; Zira looked at him confused, if this is the first time he’s been in this room how did Renegade know about the book? She thought to herself looking at the unusual off-white, cream parchment paper.
“Dante, how did Renegade know about the book, if this is the first time you both been here in this house?” She asked curiously walking closer to the book, her fingers gliding across the rough pages clearly worn with age.
“Renegade isn’t just a witch doctor, she is a witch that studies voodoo, she can sense these sort of . . . items.”
“I thought you said you didn’t believe in this sort of thing?” She asked him seeing that the pages were littered with words scribbled with a calligraphy pen.
“I’ve known her since I was a kid, and have seen her abilities. It’s hard not to believe in your own friend who’s like your family.” He said quietly getting a distant look in his eyes; she didn’t know what it felt like . . . to have friends. She just knew family is the only thing that is worth keeping, no, worth fighting for.
“Hey look at this, this painting, it looks like you.” He said placing the book down on the shelf to his right, when suddenly loud sirens were heard screeching down the street. He shot his head up from the book and looked out of the room we were in. The cops were turning on their street, they had to get out, and someone was onto them.
“Go you need to leave.” Zira said taking the book in her arms and shoving him out of the door.
“I’m not leaving you-“
“Go I’ll be fine, I’ll distract them while you get Renegade.” She said smiling softly before running across the yard and to the front of the house. She crouched down beneath the bushes to see 4 chargers unmarked but flashing red and blue lights brightly. She looked down to see a sharp stone in the shape of an arrowhead; she smirked and dragged the rough and sharp point across her skin, mainly her legs, neck and face. The sting of her flesh ripping open was mild; she knew what she had to do, she wiped the blood off of the rock onto herself and hid it in the shrubs. She grabbed the collar of her shirt and ripped it up in various spots, she took a deep breath and quietly ran and placed the book on the driver’s side of the car parked in the driveway, which she assumed was Dante’s Hellcat. She took another deep breath and looked at the cop cars. Let’s hope those acting classes back in middle school will be of some use.
“Please someone help me!” She screamed, her scream echoing down the streets, her ear piercing shrill got the attention of the police, she screamed again stumbling across the middle of the street, tears welled up in her eyes as she took quick shallow breaths.
“Vera, what are you doing, you are making an ass out of yourself.” She heard someone whisper behind her, she turned around in tears seeing a shadowy figure. She stared at the figure and started laughing through her tears.
“WHO ARE YOU!” She screamed as she heard the cops cock their guns back, the figure laughed and grabbed her by her throat, her feet leaving the ground. She coughed and tried to pry the shadow off of her, what was happening to her?
“WHO AM I??? YOU SHOULD RECGONIZE YOUR LITTLE SISTER!”The shadow yelled slamming her into the pavement, she coughed in pain and looked up.
“My sister is human, not you-“
“BULL FUCKING SHIT! Ha, come on Vera don’t play stupid, it’s because of you that this happened to me. You did this to me! You Killed KAI!”
“ I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT!” Zira yelled kicking her legs quickly pulling herself up to her feet, her lips were now soaked in blood.
“Come on sweetie, you are safe now.” She heard a soft voice say from behind her, she heard the police whisper “code 5150” police jargon for insane person. However, she refused to turn around. She continued to look at the figure that claimed to be her sister; she smiled and licked the blood off of her lips.
“Alright, if you’re my sister than prove it.” She said hearing the crunch of someone’s shoes crunching into the pavement next to her.
“My Pleasure sis” She heard the figure say sarcastically as she ran at her. Zira stood her ground when everything went dark.
“Welcome home.” She heard the figure say as she stood in a grass field, she looked around at the spot she was at. There were beautiful trees unlike anything she’s ever seen; the flowers were as white as snow, and smelt strongly of cinnamon. The bark on the trees was a dark grey almost black. She took a deep breath and continued to take in her surroundings, there were no big buildings or anything industrial it was like she was transported into some fantasy land, she smiled softly and felt the cold breeze hit her dirt and blood ridden skin. She saw a dark red path that led down a green hill and disappeared into the horizon.
“Why is the path dark red?” She asked out loud walking towards it, she looked at the path closely; the red was swirled in certain spots, like a mini pool of blood. She crouched down and touched the hard stone, her fingers scraping against the floor.
“Help me, please! Please let the Gods hear my pleas!” A woman shouted covered in blood, her cream colored cotton dress splattered with black and red liquid. She continued to scream as smoke filled the once orange and purple sky due to the sun setting. Xaviera rode her black horse against the grass leading to her castle when she heard the wench’s squeals. She sighed exasperated and kicked lightly into her horse’s side galloping up to the woman.
“What are you squealing about?” She asked rudely looking at the curly mop that gathered in a tangle on the side of her head.
“Please my Lady, my village it’s being overrun by- filthy demons. Please your majesty my family has already been killed.” She stammered between sobs, her tears were cleaning her skin of the ash that was raining from the sky. Xaviera raised a quizzical eyebrow and jumped off of her horse.
“What land are you truly from my dear?” She asked touching the young woman’s face wiping the tears away; her piercing green eyes staring into the woman’s dark brown ones.
“Kalviyre” She whispered, an evil glimmer crossed Vera’s eyes as she looked down at her hip, there rested her dagger, her pride and joy besides the love of her life.
“NO! Leila! Get away from her!” Xaviera heard a gruff voice shout from behind her, she smirked and grabbed the woman’s hair bringing her body towards her, her chest digging into the back of her hostage’s body. She held the dagger at the one known as Leila. Her blade pressing into the woman’s flesh making the wench wiggle around in her grasp only making the blade sink deeper into her throat.
“You BOY! Let this be known, anyone that associates with a Kalviyre will make this path red with the blood of their own kin!” She shouted sliding the dagger across her hostage’s neck, severing her head, the blood spilling onto her face. She smiled wickedly and threw the pathetic head at the boy.
“Here this is yours, don’t forget my message.” She said hopping onto her horse and galloping away.
Zira snapped her hand away from the path and looked up to see the shadowy figure there again.
“I know what you truly are Vera, and I will kill you for all of the crimes you have committed against me and MY people.” She spat her true form being revealed-
***
Namine laid there in Leon’s arms, her head resting against his chest, she smiled to herself as she saw his hair tangled and in his face from his sweat. She sighed heavily and stretched to kiss his lips. The warmth of his smooth skin radiated against her own sweat covered body. He moaned quietly and captured her lips in a more sensual kiss. She giggled and pulled away from him, he smiled at her and ran his hand along her back.
“That is a wonderful way to be woken up.” He said as Namine’s cell phone rang, the ringtone of the Mental Hotline made Leon roll his eyes. Namine sighed and leaned over to grab her phone off of the nightstand.
“No just let it go to voicemail, please my love-“He said batting his eyelashes and pouting, she shoved him playfully and grabbed her phone.
“Hey Z, what’s going on?” Namine answered, her face suddenly dropping to a worried one.
“Slow down where is she? What do you mean you don’t know?!?! I LEFT her with you!” She shouted jumping out of bed and rummaging the room for her clothes. Leon watched her scrambling around and smiled holding up her underwear. Namine blushed and snatched them out of his hand.
“Alright where are you? You are where?” She asked she looked confused and looked at Leon that was now holding her Bra, she growled under her breath at him and slipped it on quickly.
“Wait how did you get her phone? She never leaves her phone.”
“NAMINE just get here quickly.” She heard Dante shout hanging up. She hurried and got dressed throwing Leon’s clothes at him.
“Come on you’re coming too. I need all the help I can get finding my sister.”
“Knowing her she’s probably out murdering someone.” He said his eyes glimmering at his own joke. Namine stared at him and put on her shoes.
“Don’t speak about my sister like that, she has done nothing but protect me in whatever way is necessary. Leon, you don’t know her so if you speak of her in that tone again, I will hurt you.” She said very darkly as she zipped up her boots, Leon rolled his eyes and kissed her cheek. She pulled away from him and stood up grabbing his keys off of the nightstand.
“Are you seriously mad? It was a joke, plus your sister doesn’t even like me-“
“If she doesn’t like you it’s for a good reason.” She said walking out of the room and out of his house.
***
Dante paced back and forth in front of the Vidgen where he first took Zira, he is usually calm and collected. But losing her it felt like a piece of him left as well. He clutched the book that he found by his car tightly as he felt a warm hand touch his shoulder.
“Dante, calm down we will find her, I promise” Renegade said annunciating his name with her thick accent. He exhaled and looked at her, how could she promise anything, when she didn’t even like her to begin with. Dante brushed her hand off of him he was filled with anger and didn’t even know why.
“Don’t promise me anything Renegade, because if you can’t keep your promise, I will kill you” He said walking closer to her, she backed up into the wall and stared at him, she could see darkness starting to consume him, she shoved him back and kept her stare, she didn’t want to do this, but she had to calm him down. She held her stare and began chanting:
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI7I94EYK9
Hebu mfalme wangu safi giza
katika nafsi yake na nyuma
jehanamu ambapo ni mali
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqAnPxechI
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ63QCbAVrm
Dante dropped the book and grabbed his head, the ear piercing ringing was echoing into his head like he was in a cave. He grunted and fell to his knees looking at the book, he needed help his own friend was betraying him. He continued to look at the book as if it would offer some help he could see the pages slightly move as sweat began dripping off of his skin.
“Let my king clean the darkness in his soul and back to hell where it belongs. Well done witch but you can’t protect my son from me forever, that girl is doing all of my work and doesn’t even know it.” Renegade heard a maniacal and deep voice say from behind her. Renegade’s skin turned ice cold, her body stricken with fear so badly she couldn’t move. She could feel the deep voice approach her from behind his rough, dry and cracked lips brushing against her flesh.
“Damien” Renegade whispered her eyes widening in shock, he has never showed his face ever since her ancestors passed away.
“Good girl you do remember me. Now if you remember me, you should fear me. I can kill you in an instant.” He whispered digging his hand into her back sinking it into her flesh sending a searing pain across her body, she screamed out in pain. She could feel his claws pierce the muscle tissue that caressed her spine; he was millimeters from hitting one of her vertebrae. She could do nothing, tears slipped from her eyes as he taunted the inside of her body.
“Now, now my pretty witch, there is no need to cry. You would be of no use to me if you die now.” He spat turning his hand into a fist and yanking it out of her back, she screamed hoarsely as she collapsed in pain at his feet. He merely looked down at her in glee; he dug his leather shoe into her rib cage knocking her over. Renegade was powerless and she temporarily immobilized Dante, so he couldn’t help her.
“Now here is what I need you to do Renegade, if you truly love the boy I need you to stay out of the way. If you get in the way of me or that girl again, I will torture him in front of your eyes and watch you slowly die from his pain. Then when he is close to death I will make him watch you die at my hands. Have fun loving someone who is never going to love you in return.” He spat kicking her hard hearing her rib cage shatter at the force he hit her with. She screamed in pain crying as she heard footsteps running toward her. She curled into a bar withering in pain.
“IT HURTS! MAKE IT STOP!” She screamed, her back was on fire he didn’t just stab her with his claws he inserted something in her. She cried as the wound in her back contracted in pain every 2 minutes.
“Renegade!” She heard Namine’s voice yell in the distance, Renegade cried. Her sobs only causing her more pain, with each hyperventilating cry it would cause her rib cage to crack and stab her internally.
“Please help Dante. . . make sure he’s okay.” She coughed, blood spilling out from the side of her mouth. Namine looked at Leon signaling for him to check on Dante when she checked on Renegade.
“Renegade what happened?” She asked wiping the blood off of her face with her sleeve making sure to carefully avoid any major wounds.
“D-Damien, he did this to me.” She said hoarsely looking at Namine, Namine looked at her confused and quickly called 911.
“Please, the book, the book will tell you everything.”She said shutting her eyes; Namine placed her finger under Renegades nose to make sure she was still breathing and looked over at Leon.
“Leon?” She asked seeing he was backed up against the wall looking at Dante in fear, disgust and disbelief.
“You-?” Leon said with a light tremble in his voice, Dante looked up into Leon’s blue eyes. A wave of anger rushed through him as he quickly got to his feet.
“Brother.” Dante coldly said, glaring at Leon.
“Why are you here?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Dante said stumbling on to his feet quickly grabbing the book off of the ground, he looked around quickly and saw Namine holding Renegade. He dropped down to his knees and touched her cheek.
“We need to get her to a hospital-“Before he could finish his sentence the ambulance sirens came blaring through the cold night air and pulled up quickly. The paramedics moved in a blur shouting random medical jargon to each other as they loaded her up into the back. Dante jumped in and shot Namine a look.
“See you at the hospital” He said before they shut the doors and sped off, the sirens not seizing in its obnoxious sound. Namine looked at Leon still looking at the spot Dante once stood.
“BROTHER??” She shouted quickly walking over to him, Leon shot up to his feet and looked at Namine.
“I was going to tell you, but he left my life years ago, I didn’t even think he was still alive”
“Whatever, I am going to find Zira. You can help or not, I don’t really care either way.” She stated seeing the book lying on the ground. She raised her eyebrow quizzically at it and opened the old pages carefully seeing a painting of what looked like her sister. Namine looked on the back of the painting to see some words scribbled on the bottom of it. “Assignment one: Marked” Namine flipped through the pages and began walking down the sidewalk and up into the forest that was about a mile up the road.
There she was, my mark, all I had to do is assassinate her and I could collect my reward. She was just a woman after all. I followed her at a distance through the busy town square; she spoke to no one and kept her head low, no one seemed to notice her either. I continued to follow her to a small path that lead down the lake. Where was she headed? I didn’t care either, but what was unusual is that she never looked around at anything, she just looked forward. This was going to be an easy assignment she is walking into an isolated area . . . perfect time to kill her. I slowly came around the corner and then she was gone. It was like she disappeared into thin air. It couldn’t be . . . she couldn’t have known. I . . . .
“Weird this journal entry just cuts off” Namine said softly flipping the page to see blood splattered on the page. She sighed and continued to flip the page to see another journal entry date October13:
She knew someone was going to assassinate her, she knew EVERYTHING. Yet she didn’t kill me, she was a Medon Pavmire and she showed restraint. However, something in me still fears for my life. Her eyes hold darkness in them but yet they somehow captivate me. As I write this entry I find myself watching her, her raven locks blowing softly in the breeze, her cold dark green eyes glare at me whenever I move. But she was stunning, her beauty was unearthly. Even though I’m bleeding out from the wound she left in my chest she simply stated “Death is to easy for a pathetic being like you. I want you to take me to your employer and when you do I will kill him and then you.” She said that to me so coldly that it sent shivers down my spine and cemented me to the spot I stood. I can feel myself pushing the blood out of my flesh making me weak and faint but I wanted to help her . . . even if it meant it would bring me death.
-Santiago
“Santiago. . . why does that name sound familiar?” Namine asked as she heard Leon run up along side of her.
“Look, Namine I’m sorry-“
“It doesn’t matter, it’s in your past and I don’t care about it. I care about our future, and right now my future needs to have my sister in it.” She said walking up the steep graded hill as he let out a breath of relief. She smiled softly and shut the book looking around.
“Hey babe?” She asked continuing her trek into the forest.
“Yes my love?” He asked, she stopped and looked back at him.
“Does the name Santiago sound familiar to you?” She asked seeing Leon’s face change to a shocked one. She was about to speak when a sudden rush of pain enveloped her skin. She gasped for air, Leon ran to her aid sweeping her up in his arms.
“Namine?” He asked as she dropped the book, she shut her eyes feeling a rush of cool air envelope her skin as she saw a woman standing over Zira.
“Zira. . .” Namine whispered as Leon looked at his love convulsing in his arms. Namine felt anger consume her as she watched the pale woman with piercing sapphire blue eyes scream at Zira who she had pinned to the ground.
“I told you I don’t know who KAI is, and you are not my sister!” Zira screamed which was quickly silenced by the woman’s fist. NO, Zira is going to snap, I have to find her. Namine thought to herself looking around seeing an unfamiliar scene, this wasn’t anywhere in the city. She heard about this place though it was about 60 miles out from town. It was a wolf sanctuary that was run off of donations.
“You do know who he is-“
“Fine! I killed your precious Kai is that what you want to hear MELINA!” Zira yelled punching Melina off of her and spitting some blood out of her mouth. Namine watched her sister . . . no that wasn’t her sister anymore, her words were cold and like daggers. Everything she said was hateful.
“How about this Melina, I would kill your precious Kai ALL over again to ensure the safety of my people. Let me tell you the truth Melina, I didn’t know he was your husband, if I knew-“
“You would what??? Spare his life, save me the bullshit-“
“No I would have killed him in front of you for what you did to me. You act like you are a saint but you are as wretched as your father. But don’t worry baby sister, your new love. . . Leon. I am going to kill him and this time YOU WILL watch him die.” Zira said with a wicked cackle walking towards where Namine was watching.
“I see you Namine.” Zira said mockingly, her simple phrase cold and sending fear through her body.
“You dare touch him and I will kill you.” Namine said angrily, Zira smiled and took a deep breath.
“Oh naive little sister, you don’t think I haven’t? Ha-ha, why don’t you ask him what he did to me, and then you will find out why I hate him so much. See you soon, sis.” Zira said turning around as Melina disappeared. Namine gasped and opened her eyes to see Leon watching her with concern in his eyes. She hasn’t seen Zira like that since they were teenagers, but somehow that didn’t seem like her. It sounded like someone else, like she was possessed. But she couldn’t let her words scare her, however, what did she mean by you don’t think I haven’t?.
“Baby, are you okay.” Leon asked as he held her tightly, Namine sat up slowly and looked at his eyes worried.
“I know where Zira’s at . . . but you have to tell me the truth. You know a lot more then you are telling me-“Leon looked at her wide eyed and sighed helping her up to her feet.
“There is a lot I know that I didn’t want to tell you at least not like this-“
“What did you do to Zira?” She blurted out Leon bit his lower lip and looked away from her.
“Leon whatever it is you can tell me-“
“I- I can’t. If I tell you, I will lose you. A life without you is sentencing me to death-“
“Just tell me what you did to her.”
“I- I was drunk and was upset that you left me to go on that vacation. I felt like I was going to lose you-“
“You honestly think I would cheat on you?” She asked bewildered watching his face turn solemn, Namine’s body was feeling weak from her episode and quickly sat down, to regain her composure.
“I don’t know what I was feeling but I saw your sister walking out of the bar. She looked like she just came from a bad night. So I started talking to her and asked if she needed a ride home. She said that I was drunk and shouldn’t be driving and offered to drive me home. I obliged and was well on my way home. She pulled up to my driveway and got out of the car and helped me into the house and laid me on the couch. But I didn’t want her to leave-“Namine listened to his words carefully, so far there was nothing that he should be ashamed of.
“But she was so beautiful and kind, she reminded me of you so I kissed her. She punched me and said I was dating you and to leave her alone. But No wasn’t an option, I needed to feel you and she was the next best thing. So I yanked her down and punched her and striped her naked and went to town on her. She fought back and was very strong but I was buried deep in her and way stronger. But she was screaming to loud so I decided to knock her out and finish. I felt guilty afterwards and sobered up to realize what I did. She finally woke up and grabbed the sharpest thing near her and stabbed me. She vowed never again and that she wouldn’t say anything because she didn’t want to hurt you.” Namine ground her teeth together and swung her hand across his face, the slap resonating through the quietness of the air. Her hand tinted red with the sting of the hit, she felt tears well in her eyes that she refused to let fall.
“Stay away from me and my sister you sick fuck.” She spat grabbing the book and running back into the city.
“Namine! Please don’t leave me, I’m sorry!” He screamed as he watched her run away.
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